Helmet with integrated means for securely locking it

ABSTRACT

A helmet for protecting the head of a wearer from external impacts is disclosed. The helmet includes a shell and at least a pair of straps. One end of each of the straps is attached with attachment device to the shell. The other end of each of the straps includes fastening device suitable for fastening the two straps together such that a continuous strap is formed running from one attachment device to the other, and passing under the chin of a person when worn. The fastening device includes a lock. The straps have a cut resistance according to ASTM F1790-05 of at least 20 g/mm, preferably of at least 40 g/mm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of helmets. In particular, it concerns helmets provided with integrated means for securely locking it, and preferably for securing it to an accessory such as a bicycle, a snowboard, skateboard, skis, or the like, which requires the use of said helmet.

BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION

Many activities require a helmet to protect the head of an individual, such as for example activities in the fields of military, building, mining, and in particular sports such as flying (paragliding, hang gliding), mountaineering, skating, and cycling. In all cases the helmet is generally held on the head with straps running under the chin, which must be adjusted to fit the individual, with generally a first strap running from the helmet, over the temple region and down to the chin and often a second strap starting from behind the ear and joining the first strap to further stabilize the helmet. When not wearing it, a helmet is a rather cumbersome object to carry around and it is often left behind until it is needed again. If left unwatched, it could be tempting for a third person to just grab it and run away with it, and it is unfortunately advisable to securely lock it to some fixed structure to avoid such bad surprise. This situation is typically encountered with bicycle riders wearing a helmet while they are riding and not knowing what to do with it when they have reached their destination. The same problem arises with other activities, in particular in sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, skating, and the like.

Many locking systems are available, in particular for fastening a bicycle to an immovable object, such as U-locks and D-locks, chains, cable locks, wheel locks, or locking skewers. If these system offer a certain security for locking a bicycle, they do not allow to lock it together with a helmet, as helmets do not offer any grip for these kinds of locks, which are generally too thick to pass through the aeration openings of a helmet.

Many locking systems for locking a helmet to a bicycle or similar accessories are proposed in the art. Many of them rely on a locking station fixed to a part of a bicycle and comprising means for locking the helmet thereto, some profiting of the aeration openings present in the vast majority of bicycle helmets, and being provided with a finger or similar engaging through one of said openings, others requiring a mating structure to be provided on the helmet. Such locking systems are described e.g., in DE102004061359, U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,635, CA2132996, DE4241235, U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,271 and EP723906. These systems have the inconvenience that the same helmet must be used with the same bicycle, as they do not work without the mating locking station being mounted on the bike.

To solve this problem, other solutions comprise a cable which can be locked to a fixed structure or a bicycle, like in U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,934 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,080. These cables are thin enough to run through aeration openings of the helmets and provided with a loop to be inserted in a traditional bike lock, too thick to pass through said openings. These solutions require the helmet wearer to carry around an extra accessory which is not practical.

Other locking solutions solve this latter problem by integrating within the structure of the helmet a shackle or a cable provided with a lock. For example; U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,616 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,662 each discloses a helmet with a retractable shackle which can be run in and out of its storage position. U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,855 discloses a motorcycle comprising lugs suitable for locking the chin straps of a helmet with a padlock. U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,129 discloses a helmet with an embedded lock and a cable having a fixed end attached to the helmet and a retractable end which may be secured by the lock. U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,855 discloses a helmet a chin strap, comprising a lock arranged so that a part of the chin strap can be passed round part of a motor cycle or scooter or a fixed object such as a fence or railing and fastened by the lock to secure the helmet against theft. CN2867945U discloses a somehow more cumbersome lock system integrated to a helmet and comprising a knuckle joint. The presence of locking means integrated to the helmet structure is certainly welcome for a practical point of view, but it adds up new elements to the helmet and therefore increases the weight—and probably the cost—thereof, and give the helmet a funny look, not necessarily appreciated by all consumers.

There is certainly a need for new helmets comprising integrated locking means, adding no additional elements thereto and permitting to maintain total freedom in the design thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is defined in the appended independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. In particular, the present invention concerns a helmet for protecting the head of a wearer from external impacts, said helmet comprising a shell, at least a pair of straps, one end of each of said straps being attached with attachment means to the shell and the other end comprising fastening means suitable for fastening the two straps together such that a continuous strap is formed running from one attachment means to the other, and passing under the chin of a person when worn, wherein,

-   -   The fastening means comprise a lock, and     -   The straps have a cut resistance according to ASTM F1790-05 of         at least 20 g/mm, preferably of at least 40 g/mm.

The straps preferably comprise a fabric made of para-aramid fibres, UHMwPE, or glass fibres. The fabric of the straps may have a density of at least 300 g/m², preferably at least 400 g/m², more preferably at least 500 g/m². The straps may also have a core/sheath structure. The edges of the straps are preferably reinforced by one or a combination of: (a) hemming the edges one or several folds thick, (b) serging the edges with overlock stitches, or (c) coating the edges with a reinforcing material comprising a flexible polymer filled with particles of e.g., carbon, metal, or aramid.

The lock of the fastening means (8) may be unlocked with one or a combination of (a) a physical key to be introduced into a keyhole, (b) an alpha-numerical combination, (c) an electronic signal, and (d) an acoustic or optical signal. To avoid accidental locking of the fastening means they preferably further comprise lock activating means for activating, respectively deactivating the locking function of the fastening means.

A separate lock station suitable for locking at least one strap (3) of the helmet may advantageously be mounted onto an accessory requiring the use of said helmet, such as a bicycle, a motorcycle, skis, ski sticks, a snowboard, a skateboard, skates, and a paragliding bag.

The present invention also concerns the use of the chin straps of a helmet for locking said helmet together with an accessory requiring the use of said helmet, said accessory being selected among a bicycle, a motorcycle, skis, ski sticks, a snowboard, a skateboard, skates, and a paragliding bag. It is preferred that a helmet as defined above is used. The helmet may be locked together with said accessory by fastening and locking the two straps together, forming a continuous strap passing through an aperture in said accessory. Alternatively, one strap may be fastened and locked to a locking station mounted on said accessory. It is safer if at least one of the straps is further passed through an aperture of an immovable object.

A traditional helmet provided with normal chin straps, e.g., made of nylon, may easily be transformed into a helmet according to the present invention by using a kit of parts comprising

-   -   (a) a helmet comprising a pair of fastenable chin straps (e.g.,         made of nylon);     -   (b) a lock made of two separatable interlocking elements, each         element being tied to a sling at least as long as each chin         strap of the helmet;     -   (c) bonding means, suitable for permanently bonding each of the         two lock slings to each strap of the helmet,         characterized in that, the composite strap obtained by         permanently fixing a lock sling to a helmet strap has a cut         resistance according to ASTM F1790-05 of at least 20 g/mm,         preferably of at least 40 g/mm.

The lock slings are preferably made of a tough material such as fibres of para-aramid, UHMwPE, or glass to provide the necessary cut resistance to the composite straps. The slings may be bonded to the helmet chin straps by using an adhesive or by sewing them together. A combination of adhesive and sewing is of course more secure. The slings may be bonded to one face to the straps onto form a laminate, or to both faces to form a sandwich. Alternatively, the slings may be wide enough to wrap each strap and thus form a sheath around the nylon straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, wherein

FIG. 1 shows a helmet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows three embodiments of how a conventional helmet can be transformed into a helmet according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a helmet (1) comprising means for securely locking it. FIG. 1 illustrates a helmet for bicycles but the present invention concerns any type of helmets (1) comprising a pair of chin straps (3) with fastening means (8) for fastening the two straps together under the chin of the wearer. In particular it concerns helmets for sports activities, such as cycling, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, skating, paragliding, hangliding, and the like. It may also concern helmets for professional activities performed by the army, fire department, building companies, etc. The present invention provides a helmet comprising integrated means for securely locking it to another object, preferably an immovable object or at least a more voluminous or heavier object which is difficult to displace inconspicuously. Contrary to solutions providing an additional shackle or cable integrated in the helmet, the present invention does not require any additional components to a helmet, but a locking functionality is added to the chin straps (3) of the helmet (1).

Helmets are held on the head with a pair of straps (3), which must be fastened together and adjusted under the chin to fit the individual; for this reason, the term “chin strap” is sometimes used herein to refer to the straps (3) which are fixed to the helmet with fixing means (7), and that are to be run under the chin. The chin straps (3) are usually provided with adjusting means (6) to adjust the length of the straps when fastened together. As a rule of thumb, it should not be possible to insert more than one finger's thickness between the strap and the throat. The fastening means (8) for fastening the two straps together should be strong enough to resist impacts to be expected in the field of activity a helmet is designed for and, at the same time, should be easy to fasten and release. Although they could be made of leather or of a polymer band, the chin straps (3) are most often made of textile fibres, such as polyamide (nylon), polypropylene, or even polyaramid (e.g., Kevlar) for high quality helmets, which are woven, braided, or even knitted. Like the fastening means (8) the straps (3) should be sufficiently resistant to maintain the helmet in place in case of impact.

The present invention provides the chin straps (3) with an additional locking function for securely locking the helmet to another object, such as a post or a fence, when not in use. This is achieved by using a cut resistant strap (3) and fastening means (8) having a lock (8A). The word “lock” is used herein to refer to a closing device which can be opened only with a key. The key may be a physical key, an alpha-numerical combination, an electronic signal, an acoustic or optical signal and the like. The expression “securely locking” means herein that once locked, it is not possible for a third person to take away the helmet without special tools or special abilities for picking locks. Theft proof locks do not exist. In the UK, locks for bicycles are sold with a Sold Secure certificate with a bronze, silver or gold rating, corresponding to an attack resistance of 1, 3 and 5 minutes with various tools! (cf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_lock). This is to show that no lock can prevent a well equipped and experienced thief from breaking any type of commercial locks. The use of a lock is to prevent mal-intentioned but ill-equipped passersby (i.e., equipped only with a knife, scissors, pliers, or the like) to steal an object locked to a post or other features. It is clear that the traditional nylon straps found in the great majority of helmets would not permit to securely lock a helmet, since such straps can easily be cut off with normal scissors or with a pen-knife. For this reason, the straps (3) of the helmets of the present invention must have a cut resistance of at least 20 g/mm, measured according to ASTM F1790-05. Preferably, the straps (3) have a cut resistance of at least 40 g/mm, more preferably at least 75 g/mm, at least 100 g/mm or at least 120 g/mm, and most preferably at least 140 g/mm. The higher the cut resistance of the straps, the higher the level of security against theft can be achieved.

The chin straps (3) for the helmets of the present invention must be as comfortable as nylon straps (3) and at the same time highly cut resistant. This can be achieved in different ways. A core/sheath structure can be used, with a traditional sheath fabric made of e.g. nylon, and a cut resistant core, such as a metal strip or fabric, or other well known tough materials. This solution substantially increases the cut-resistance of the straps, but is not adapted for helmets where weight is important, such as in most sports. An alternative solution is to replace the nylon fibres of traditional straps with tough fibres and/or to increase the webbing density. In particular, fibres such as para aramid (e.g., Kevlar®, Twaron®), UHMwPE (e.g., Dyneema®), glass fibres are regularly used for making cut resistant gloves because they are extremely strong and tough. Special shears are required to cut fabrics made of these materials which would not yield to normal scissors or knives. Examples of shears designed for cutting such fabrics can be found in http://jaeberly.com/id7.html.

Helmets provided with straps made of Kevlar® are available on the market (cf. http://www.spoke.ie/2010/03/on-test-met-helmets/), but such straps do not necessarily meet the cut resistance requirements of a locking system, because the cut resistance of the straps also depends on the density of the webbing. It is clear that a loose braid is easier to cut than a densely braided strap. For instance, a strap made of a 680 g/m² braid made of para-aramid fibres (Kevlar®) has a cut resistance of about 50 g/mm (ASTM F1790-05). As a general rule of thumb, straps made of para-aramid fibres should preferably have a density of at least 400 g/m², preferably at least 500 g/m². Lower web densities of the order of at least 300 g/m² can be used with UHMwPE because the fibres themselves have a lower density than para-aramid fibres.

The cut resistance of the straps (3) can further be enhanced by reinforcing the edges thereof. For example, instead of having a strap of homogeneous density, the edges may be reinforced with a higher fibre concentration, e.g., by hemming the edges one or several folds thick and/or by serging the edges with overlock stitches. Alternatively the edges may be coated with a reinforcing material, such as a flexible polymer filled with particles of carbon, metal, aramid, and the like.

The fastening means (8) of the straps (3) must be provided with locking means (8A) to secure the helmet when not in use. As defined above, the locking means (8A) may be unlocked with any type of key such as a physical key to be introduced into a keyhole, an alpha-numerical combination, an electronic signal, an acoustic or optical signal, like a barcode. It is clear that locking the fastening means by accident when the helmet is being worn is to be avoided at all cost, since it would be quite uncomfortable to try to unlock an alpha-numerical lock located under the wearer's chin. This can be avoided quite simply by providing activating means (8B) for activating the locking function of the fastening means (8). For example, such lock activating means (8B) may consist of a switch with an on/off position, or a pair of buttons to be pressed simultaneously while fastening the straps, e.g., located on either side of the fastening means, on the faces facing towards and away from the wearer's skin. Alternatively, a double movement of simultaneously pressing and rotating some feature of the fastening means would efficiently prevent any accidental locking of the straps, and still be easy to lock when needed.

The locking means (8A) of the helmets (1) of the present invention should be suitable for locking the two straps (3) together. They may also be suitable for locking one strap (3) of the helmet to a mating locking station mounted on an accessory requiring the use of said helmet, such as a bicycle, a motorcycle, skis, ski sticks, a snowboard, a skateboard, skates, or a paragliding bag. The helmet and accessory can thus be locked together by running one strap through an opening too small to allow neither the helmet nor the accessory therethrough, such as between two spokes of a bike wheel or through a wire mesh fence.

In some cases, a wearer may be reluctant to purchase a new helmet. It is possible to transform a traditional helmet comprising normal chin straps (3) e.g., made of nylon (PA6) and fastening means (8) which are not suitable for securely locking the helmet, into a secure locking helmet according to the present invention. A lock (8A) as discussed above, being separatable into two interlocking elements and provided with slings (13) can be used together with bonding means (21) to reinforce the straps of a traditional helmet. The lock (8A) should be suitable for comfortably and easily fastening and un-fastening the chin straps under the chin when in use, and for securely locking the helmet when not in use. As illustrated in FIG. 2, with three different embodiments of the present aspect of the invention, the fastening means (8) mounted on the helmet straps (3) shall be dispensed of. An interlocking element of the lock (8A) is tied to a sling (13), either permanently, e.g., with stitches or simply by running the sling (13) into a slot of the lock element (8A). Preferably, at least one sling is tied to a lock element such as to allow adjustment of the length thereof, without allowing, however, its removal. The sling (13) is made of a cut resistant material such as discussed above with respect of other embodiments of the present invention, such as fibres of para-aramid, UHMWPE, or glass. The sling (13) may be bonded to the nylon straps (3) with any known means allowing a permanent bond to be formed without impairing the integrity of the straps and slings. It is preferred to use an adhesive (21) as bonding means. Many adhesive allow a secure bonding between two fabrics to be obtained quite simply, optionally by application of heat and/or pressure to the surfaces to be bonded. Alternatively or additionally, the two fabrics may be sewed together with stitches (21) at appropriate locations. The composite strap thus obtained shall be cut resistant with a cut resistance according to ASTM F1790-05 of at least 20 g/mm, preferably of at least 40 g/mm, more preferably at least 75 g/mm, at least 100 g/mm or at least 120 g/mm, and most preferably at least 140 g/mm. The higher the cut resistance of the straps, the higher the level of security against theft can be achieved. The sling should preferably cover the whole length of the nylon straps (3) up to their fixing point (7) to the helmet, or at least over the whole length which is easily accessible with a knife, in order to not allow access to a section of the straps which is easy to cut with normal scissors or knife. As illustrated in FIG. 2( a), a sling (13) may simply be laminated onto a strap (3) to form a two layer laminate, with optionally a coat of glue in between. A three layer laminated strap can be obtained with a nylon strap (3) sandwiched between two layers of reinforcing slings (13) as illustrated in FIG. 2( b) by passing the sling into a slot in the lock (8A) to yield two sling ends and by sandwiching the strap (3) with the two sling ends thus obtained. Here again, the sling ends may be glued and/or stitched to the strap (3). The sling may also be wide enough to wrap the strap (3) to form a sheath around the strap as illustrated in FIG. 2( c).

By replacing the un-secure fastening means (8) of a traditional helmet with a lock (8A) and by reinforcing the chin straps with cut resistant slings as discussed above, it is possible to render a helmet suitable for being securely locked. All that is needed is:

-   -   (a) a helmet comprising a pair of fastenable chin straps (3);     -   (b) a lock (8A) made of two separatable interlocking elements,         each element being tied to a sling (13) at least as long as each         chin strap (3) of the helmet;     -   (c) bonding means (21), suitable for permanently bonding each of         the two lock slings (13) to each strap (3) of the helmet over         the whole length thereof,         wherein the composite strap obtained by permanently fixing a         lock sling to a helmet strap has a cut resistance according to         ASTM F1790-05 of at least 20 g/mm, preferably of at least 40         g/mm. 

1. A helmet for protecting the head of a wearer from external impacts, said helmet comprising a shell, at least a pair of straps, one end of each of said straps being attached with an attachment device to the shell and the other end of each of said straps comprising a fastening device suitable for fastening the two straps together such that a continuous strap is formed running from one attachment device to the other, and passing under the chin of a person when worn, wherein the fastening device comprises a lock, and wherein the straps have a cut resistance according to ASTM F1790-05 of at least 20 g/mm, preferably of at least 40 g/mm.
 2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the straps comprise a fabric made of para-aramid fibres, UHMwPE, or glass fibres.
 3. The helmet according to claim 2, wherein the fabric of the straps has a density of at least 300 g/m², preferably at least 400 g/m², more preferably at least 500 g/m².
 4. The helmet according to claim 3, wherein the straps comprise a tubular or sheath fabric reinforced by an inner core.
 5. The helmet according to claim 4, wherein the edges of the straps are reinforced by one or a combination of: (a) hemming the edges one or several folds thick, (b) serging the edges with overlock stitches, or (c) coating the edges with a reinforcing material comprising a flexible polymer filled with particles of carbon, metal, or aramid.
 6. The helmet according to claim 5, wherein the lock can be unlocked with one or a combination of: (a) a physical key to be introduced into a keyhole, (b) an alpha-numerical combination, (c) an electronic signal, and (d) an acoustic or optical signal.
 7. The helmet according to claim 6, further comprising a lock activating device for activating, respectively deactivating the locking function of the fastening device.
 8. The helmet according to claim 7, further comprising a separate lock station suitable for locking at least one strap of the helmet, said lock station being suitable for being mounted onto an accessory requiring the use of said helmet, said accessory being selected among a bicycle, a motorcycle, skis, ski sticks, a snowboard, a skateboard, skates, and a paragliding bag.
 9. A method of using chin straps a helmet according to claim 1, for locking said helmet together with an accessory requiring the use of said helmet, said accessory being selected among a bicycle, a motorcycle, skis, ski sticks, a snowboard, a skateboard, skates, and a paragliding bag.
 10. The method of using the chin straps according to claim 9, wherein the helmet is locked together with said accessory by fastening and locking the two straps together, forming a continuous strap passing through an aperture in said accessory.
 11. The method of using the chin straps according to claim 9, wherein the helmet is locked together with said accessory by fastening and locking one strap to a locking station mounted on said accessory.
 12. The method of using the chin straps according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the straps is further passed through an aperture of an immovable object.
 13. A kit of parts comprising: (a) a helmet comprising a pair of fastenable chin straps; (b) a lock made of two interlocking elements capable of separation, each element being tied to a sling at least as long as each chin strap of the helmet; and (c) a bonding device, suitable for permanently bonding each of the two lock slings to each strap of the helmet, wherein the composite strap obtained by permanently fixing a lock sling to a helmet strap has a cut resistance according to ASTM F1790-05 of at least 20 g/mm, preferably of at least 40 g/mm.
 14. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the bonding device is an adhesive, a sewing kit, or a combination thereof.
 15. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the fabric of the straps has a density of at least 300 g/m², preferably at least 400 g/m², more preferably at least 500 g/m².
 16. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the straps comprise a tubular or sheath fabric reinforced by an inner core.
 17. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the edges of the straps are reinforced by one or a combination of: (a) hemming the edges one or several folds thick, (b) serging the edges with overlock stitches, or (c) coating the edges with a reinforcing material comprising a flexible polymer filled with particles of carbon, metal, or aramid.
 18. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the lock can be unlocked with one or a combination of: (a) a physical key to be introduced into a keyhole, (b) an alpha-numerical combination, (c) an electronic signal, and (d) an acoustic or optical signal.
 19. The helmet according to claim 1, further comprising a separate lock station suitable for locking at least one strap of the helmet, said lock station being suitable for being mounted onto an accessory requiring the use of said helmet, said accessory being selected among a bicycle, a motorcycle, skis, ski sticks, a snowboard, a skateboard, skates, and a paragliding bag.
 20. A method of using the chin straps according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the straps is further passed through an aperture of an immovable object. 